Unlock instant, AI-driven research and patent intelligence for your innovation.

Methods and system for detecting turbocharger degradation

a technology of turbocharger and degradation, applied in the field of turbocharger, can solve the problems of difficult detection of turbocharger degradation types, prone to degradation of turbocharger sensors, and catastrophic damag

Active Publication Date: 2017-06-06
GE GLOBAL SOURCING LLC
View PDF6 Cites 0 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Accurately detects turbocharger degradation, reducing unnecessary engine shutdowns and preventing catastrophic damage by using a variable reluctance sensor to monitor the axial position of the turbine rotor, ensuring reliable operation.

Problems solved by technology

Turbochargers often operate at very high speeds (e.g., 25,000 RPM) and thus degradation of the turbocharger during high speed operation may result in catastrophic damage.
However, some types of turbocharger degradation may be difficult to detect.
Further, the turbocharger sensors themselves may be prone to degradation.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Methods and system for detecting turbocharger degradation
  • Methods and system for detecting turbocharger degradation
  • Methods and system for detecting turbocharger degradation

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

second embodiment

[0034]FIGS. 3B-3D illustrate modified thrust collar notch geometries adapted to cause the signal of the speed sensor to decrease in voltage when an axial shift in the rotor occurs. FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-section of a notch 306 of the thrust collar 236. Notch 306 may include a convex curved semi-circle structure at its circumferential edge. Thus, the center of the semi-circle of notch 306 may be closer (e.g., a smaller vertical distance) to speed sensor 234 than the outer edges of the semi-circle. If the rotor shifts in the axial direction (e.g., to the left or to the right relative to the central axis of the speed sensor 234), the radial air gap between the notch 306 and the speed sensor 234 increases, thus causing a decrease in the voltage output by the speed sensor.

third embodiment

[0035]FIG. 3C illustrates a cross-section of a notch 308 of the thrust collar 236. Notch 308 may include a notched-square structure at its circumferential edge. That is, the outer circumferential edge may be square, with a notched edge. Thus, the edge of the notch 308 that interfaces with the speed sensor 234 may be substantially the same distance from the speed sensor across its surface, other than the notched corner. If the rotor shifts in the axial direction (e.g., to the left or to the right relative to the central axis of the speed sensor 234), the radial air gap between the notch 308 and the speed sensor 234 remains the same until the start of the notched corner, which is denoted in FIG. 3C by line 310. Thus, if the axial position of the rotor shifts to or beyond a position where the start of the notched corner (e.g., line 310) aligns with central axis 304, the voltage output by the speed sensor will decrease. While FIG. 3C illustrates a notch 308 having a single notched corne...

fourth embodiment

[0039]Returning to FIG. 3D, it illustrates a cross-section of a notch 312 of the thrust collar 236. Notch 312 may include an I-beam structure at its circumferential edge. The face of the notch 312 may be the same distance from speed sensor 234 regardless of the axial position of the rotor (unless the rotor shifts in position by a large enough amount to move the thrust collar entirely away from the speed sensor). However, the edge of the notch 312 may be configured with material that does not have equal ferrous density across the notch. For example, notch 312 may include a region 314 that has a maximum ferrous density relative to the remaining areas of the notch 312, with regions of lesser ferrous density surrounding region 314. Region 314 may be aligned with central axis 304 when the rotor is in its base position. Thus, due to the high ferrous density of region 314, when the rotor is in its base position, the voltage output by the speed sensor may be at maximum, and decrease as the ...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

Various methods and systems are provided for detecting turbocharger degradation. In one example, a method comprises detecting an axial position of a turbine rotor based on output from a turbine speed sensor, and if the axial position is greater than a threshold distance from a base position, indicating turbocharger degradation.

Description

FIELD[0001]Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to a turbocharger coupled to an internal combustion engine.BACKGROUND[0002]Turbochargers are devices used to increase the power output of an engine by compressing air into the engine with a compressor driven by a turbine that harvests energy from the hot engine exhaust gases. Turbochargers often operate at very high speeds (e.g., 25,000 RPM) and thus degradation of the turbocharger during high speed operation may result in catastrophic damage. One or more sensors may be used to monitor turbocharger function, and if degradation is indicated, the engine may be shut down. However, some types of turbocharger degradation may be difficult to detect. Further, the turbocharger sensors themselves may be prone to degradation.BRIEF DESCRIPTION[0003]In one embodiment, a method comprises detecting an axial position of a turbine rotor based on output from a turbine speed sensor, and if the axial position is greater than a thresh...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F04D15/00F04D25/02F04D27/00F01D15/02F01D17/06F01D21/04
CPCF04D15/00F01D15/02F01D17/06F01D21/04F04D25/024F04D27/001F05D2220/40F05D2270/09F05D2270/304F05D2270/821
Inventor MALONE, MATTHEW JOHN
Owner GE GLOBAL SOURCING LLC